Keeping it positive is keeping me going

This past week I enjoyed attending and taking photos at the Easter Egg Hunt and festivities at Community Hope Church in Montezuma.

More than 700 youth and families attended the community event Saturday, April 19. It was open to families from across the county and area. You were not required to be a church member or even attend church to participate.

There were bouncy games, face painting, train rides, Easter egg hunts for youth from preschool to fifth grade (including special-needs youth), photos with the Easter Bunny, popcorn, snow cones, lunch of hot dogs and chips and lots of fellowship.

It’s a great event and a wonderful way to reach out to families with the good news.

I had to take several breaks throughout the day to rest up. I also took time to enjoy a grape flavored snow cone. I’m glad there were plenty of chairs around to rest up.

As a journalist, small-town community events are one of my favorites to cover. I also enjoy covering the Poweshiek County Fair. This year will mark my 26th taking photos of kids and their prize-winning animals at the county fair.

I’ve never missed covering the swine show. I’m now taking photos of kids of kids I photographed 20 plus years ago.

There are also community events such as the Fourth of July parades and festivities in Montezuma and Grinnell, the Brooklyn Flag Festival and various other community gatherings such as Montezuma’s Summer Nights.

This year’s Brooklyn Flag Festival is being held in celebration of the town’s 175th birthday.

Having grown up in Oklahoma, which didn’t become a state until 1907, communities are not near as old as Montezuma (1848), Brooklyn (1854) and Grinnell (1854).

My hometown of Tulsa has been around for a number of years prior to statehood. The town was incorporated Jan. 18, 1898. By 1890 the town sheltered approximately one thousand people.

In 1900 the federal census reported 1,390 residents, and at 1907 statehood Tulsa had a population of 7,298.

Today, the town has 410,722 residents. Toss in all the small towns, and there are a million folks. I’ve always said that all big towns are is a bunch of small towns.

I grew up in the Florence Park Neighborhood about five miles from downtown. Most of the homes were built in the 1920s. My folks paid $9,000 for my boyhood home in 1959.

Today, some homes in that neighborhood sell from between $270,000 and up to a half million.

I’m proud of my hometown and my upbringing. I’m thankful for all the experiences life has afforded me, from growing up in Tulsa, throwing newspapers in the 1970s with my mom, going back to school in my late 20s and 30s and moving to Iowa where I met my lovely bride, Debbie.

Moving on

My colon cancer healing journey continues. My surgery wounds are healing nicely. I meet with an oncologist in the hospital and again a week ago. At the recommendation of my surgeon, I will be taking a three-month regiment of chemo starting May 5.

I should be done in time for the Iowa State Fair and the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion.

I’m thankful the cancer was contained within my colon. There was no indication that it had spread. The chemo is being done as a precautionary measure to make sure I am cancer free and have the best chance of a more positive future.

Treatments will include a two-hour infusion every three weeks in West Des Moines and four chemo pills daily for 15-days with a week break.

I remain hopeful that I can still get out and about and stay on the move while taking the chemo. I’m a firm believer that healing comes from not only medicine, but staying positive, laughing, spending time with family and friends, praying, continue doing good things and enjoying life.

I’ve always had that kind of approach to life.

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m so thankful for all the prayers, support, cards in the mail, Facebook greetings and much more through this journey. I’m so thankful that my cancer hasn’t spread and that my future is looking bright.

Have a great week, and always remember that “Good Things are Happening” every day.